Factors for Maintaining an External Hard Drive Permanently Connected

uses for an external hard drive because it not only enhances your storage capabilities, but it also offers a secure method to store your backups. You could upload them to the cloud, which may be safer in certain respects, but you wouldn’t be able to access them without internet connectivity. Additionally, an external hard drive can be removed from your computer and securely stored away from the device it’s used with. Therefore, while it can remain plugged in continuously, a significant reason some experts advise against this is due to the heightened risk of a malware attack — particularly, the data-encrypting type known as ransomware.

However, even though ransomware presents a genuine threat for a hard drive that remains connected at all times, it is probably a lesser concern compared to the dangers linked with disconnecting the hard drive. Moreover, there are numerous actions you can take to substantially lower the already minor risk of keeping the drive connected. At the same time, there’s an even more compelling reason to avoid developing the habit of detaching the drive from your computer — the frequent plugging and unplugging is not a viable long-term backup strategy. Eventually, you could find yourself without a recent backup, which is not a situation you wish to encounter, particularly in an emergency.

Why disconnecting your hard drive can present a greater risk than ransomware

The Initial Smartphone: An Incredible Innovation Before Its Time

turning 20 next year, it’s simple to conclude that this legendary device was the very first smartphone to enter the market. Indeed, a lot of individuals commonly perceive the launch of the iPhone as the start of the smartphone age. Even those who can recall the arrival of the Apple icon might possess only vague memories of smartphones that preceded it. And for good reason, as many of those earlier phones have largely disappeared from memory, with the Palm Pilot and BlackBerry being notable exceptions. However, the tale of the original smartphone traces back even further than those gadgets.

More than ten years prior to Apple’s launch of the iPhone, IBM unveiled the IBM Simon, a substantial piece of technology regarded by many specialists as the first smartphone ever created. The phone was introduced in 1992 at COMDEX, a formerly prominent computer trade show that concluded its run in 2003. COMDEX might be a thing of the past, but it was a significant event in its time, frequently acting as a springboard for groundbreaking products. For instance, Microsoft presented the initial version of Windows at COMDEX in 1983.

The IBM Simon made a swift impact among technology aficionados. Following its introduction in 1992, the device became available for sale in 1994. As a quick note, IBM selected the name because they aimed for the public to perceive their phone as user-friendly, akin to playing the Simon Says game.

What kinds of features did the IBM Simon possess?

Devices to Steer Clear of Connecting to Your Gaming Monitor

particularly some truly bizarre USB devices like tiny toys, vibrant light bars, and additional options. However, not every item should be connected to those USB ports on your monitor or display. The conventional USB ports, in particular, aren’t truly intended for data usage or digital data transfers, frequently serving only to supply power and at low capacities.

Similar to how there are devices you should never connect to your TV’s USB ports, there’s also a comparable range of gadgets you should avoid plugging into a monitor or external display. It’s important to point out that this isn’t necessarily due to worries related to damage or risk. Contemporary and quality USB devices typically come equipped with safeguards like overcharge protection to avert failures when connected to inappropriate ports. That being said, it’s still advisable to steer clear of certain devices, which is the focus of this article.

1. High-speed data drives and flash drives

Devices Compatible with External Hard Drives (Not Including Laptops)

A lot of individuals depend on external hard drives for their storage requirements, frequently opting for them as a more affordable data storage solution. They are utilized with laptops and desktops for data backup or file transfers among devices. Nevertheless, computers are not the sole types of devices that accommodate external hard drives. Numerous contemporary gadgets can read or write information on these hard drives without any issues or use them to increase their total data capacity.

If you are aiming to maximize your external hard drive’s usage, here are some of the most prevalent gadgets — many of which you likely already possess at home — that are compatible with an external hard drive. It’s advisable to format the external hard drive in the exFAT file system before connecting it to a device that does not offer a complete desktop interface to enhance compatibility across devices and ease setup. Additionally, in certain instances, employing a powered USB hub may be necessary to provide adequate power to an external hard drive that comes without a power adapter.

Smart TVs

Grasping USB Drive Formats and How to Transition Between Them

set an SD card as default storage on Android devices; for instance, the system reformats the card to a suitable file format (FAT32, ext4, or exFAT).

The three most prevalent file formats for USB drives include FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS. There are alternative formats, such as APFS for macOS and ext4 for Linux, but our focus will be on the main three. Each of these formats presents its own benefits and limitations, and the choice you make will depend on your storage requirements. We will cover how to select the appropriate one for your circumstances shortly, but first, it’s essential to understand that you generally have the option to change your choice later if needed.

How to switch between USB drive file systems

NASA’s Experiment to Generate Oxygen from Moon Soil

grow fruit in space with significant labor, but when you’re on the Moon, oxygen isn’t readily available — since there are no trees on the Moon. However, you can utilize the Moon’s soil to produce oxygen through some scientific methods.

In February, NASA revealed that the Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD) initiative effectively tested a prototype that harnessed “concentrated solar energy” (also known as sunlight) to extract oxygen from the Moon’s soil, referred to as lunar regolith. The environment was mimicked, but proof of concepts play a crucial role in the scientific process.

The transformation depended on a “carbothermal oxygen production reactor” that heated and melted lunar regolith while combining carbon with the silicate minerals present, resulting in carbon monoxide. The gas was collected and transformed into oxygen using a “downstream system.” While NASA has identified at least 20 theoretical methods to extract oxygen from lunar soil, all of which have been tested in labs, CaRD was the first to showcase its potential in a relatively precise simulated lunar environment.

What Carbothermal Reduction Indicates for the Future of Space Exploration

As per NASA, the Carbothermal oxygen production reactor technique can enhance the organization’s understanding of carbothermal reactions. Researchers think that, when scaled, the technology could “generate multiple times its own weight in oxygen annually.” This will clearly facilitate the long-term sustainability of a lunar colony, but NASA’s perspective encompasses more than just breathable oxygen; scientists propose that oxygen sourced from lunar regolith could be utilized as

Sony Phasing Out Specific PlayStation Network Services

Insider Gaming has reported that Sony developers received an email indicating the company intends to retire the PlayStation Network label as early as this year. While not officially announced, this choice appears to be a marketing strategy rather than a comprehensive overhaul, since Sony asserts that there will be minimal alterations from a technical viewpoint. Nevertheless, this development has sparked speculation that the rebranding is part of Sony’s strategy to transition away from a focus solely on console gaming. Additionally, rumors about the new branding are surfacing.

This information arrives amidst concerns regarding the PlayStation’s future, attributed to component shortages that are increasing prices of devices. While it seems users will still have access to the service for various gaming functions, it will be intriguing to observe how this prospective rebranding resonates with the audience. Given that the service connects millions of players (with Sony having sold over 50 million PS5 units by December 2023), we will keep you informed as more details emerge.

Sony set to introduce new branding for the PlayStation Network

As per reports from an email distributed to Sony developers, the company intends to “phase out” the terms PlayStation Network and PSN from its services to “accurately reflect the range of our advancing digital offerings.” This modification is said to be solely cosmetic, with no immediate plans for technical alterations.